6 best life lessons we learned from our first jobs

6 best life lessons we learned from our first jobs6 best life lessons we learned from our first jobsMy first summer job after starting college was as a fast food worker/drive-thru attendant, and more than once I felt like I was dragging myself out of bed for a paycheck. And while at the time I rolled my eyes at spending all day boxing french-fries and having to wear a truly embarrassing Ask Me How I (Lobster) Roll t-shirt, I now appreciate how time in the service industry taught me to graciously deal with hard-to-please customers and get things done quickly and correctly during a crazy 600 pm dinner-rush.Everyones got to start somewherbeie. Here at kununu, our employees have their fair share of odd and unforgettable first job experiences. No matter how far along you are in your career path, you can always look back at the different points in your career and find some important (chicken) nuggets of wisdom to use in your current position.We asked the team at kununus Boston office what lessons they learned from their first jobs and what career advice theyd offer new employees. Heres what they sharedGain power through positivityGetting through a tough shift or dealing with a demanding project is all about maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset. Bosses want employees who tackle problems with enthusiasm and grit rather than complaining and breaking down every time they get tripped up by an obstacle. You most likely wont get to choose your coworkers, schedule, or commute length, but you can always choose how you respond to any non-ideal workplace scenarios that may pop up.You can control two things your work ethic and your attitude. - Charles Lloyd, Sales at kununu USkununus VP of Marketing, Dan Sirks first job was anything but glamorous. As a teenager, he worked hauling manure for a landscaping company. Although the work was tiring (and smelly) he mucksmuschenstill thinks everyone should try to find the gold beneath the grime.Your job is to learn, grow and de velop. See the learning opportunity in everything youre asked to do even the administrative grunt work and youll get the most out of every task. - Dan Sirk, Marketing at kununu USSeize every opportunityA former barista, our PR Director believes in seeing every job, even when its leid in your field, as an opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience. She views her first gig as not just as pouring coffee but as a pathway to valuable people skills.Though you might be doing things like inventory, dishwashing or running a cash register, all of that becomes transferable skills that you can use in future jobs. When I was 18, I never imagined that getting used to working with people (taking orders, etc) would make me more comfortable doing cold calls or calling reporters live to pitch a story. Im thankful I experienced it all, because it makes me more confident in what I can do today. - Sofia Coon, Public Relations at kununu USProve your worthWhen youre the new person at a company its your responsibility to show your employer what you can offer them and why you deserve to be there. Early on, its important to maintain a reliable and composed image in the office that makes people feel that you can be trusted with important responsibilities.Nobody cares about you. You have to earn the right to do business with people by adding value to them and their organizations. - Tim Song, geschftlicher umgang Development atkununu USWhen youre given a thousand new tasks to finish by the end of the week, your first concern shouldnt be How am I going to get all of this done? Instead, you should take a deep breath, look over the list, and ask yourself What things are the most important to helping the company meet our goals? and start there.I learned how to prioritize my work based on what will add the most value. - Tedi Schipcka, Business Strategist atkununu USKeep your coolIf youve ever worked behind the counter of a coffee shop or manned a mall kiosk, youve known the struggl e of dealing with hard-to-please customers. People skills are a huge part of any job, and its important to know how to deal with all kinds of people. As a former brand ambassador for a soymilk company and a bartender at a sports bar, kununus Linda Le Phan definitely understands the importance of keeping a smile on your face and remaining calm and collected when dealing with demanding customers.Since most of my first jobs were in the food service/restaurant industry, my most important early lessons about the workplace were about dealing with difficult people, staying patient and composed even when things are literally spinning out of control, and multitasking. Some people think that waiting tables or serving customers is easy, but it is not it gives you lessons that are incredibly useful in any work setting. - Linda Le Phan, Content Marketing atkununu USPut the customer above everything else, and keep them happy, advises our Marketing, Product and Business Development leader Aaron Prebluda, whose first work environment was in the kitchen of a bustling restaurant.Make sure you are properly on-boarded and have context around what it is that you are doing in your role. Come with enthusiasm and ask a lot of questions. - Aaron Prebluda, Marketing, Product, and Business Development atkununu USConnect and collaborateStarting any new job is a scary experience. Whether you were hired to fill a recently created company position or are taking over the role of an old worker, it can be awkward trying to fit in with an office where everyone already seems to know each other. One of the easiest ways to feel more comfortable during your first few weeks is by working closely with coworkers and integrating yourself into their team.Networking isnt just important during the job search. You need to learn to continue networking throughout every phase of your career.Help wherever and whenever you can while still staying productive. - Ted Cooke, Digital Marketing atkununu USCooke a dvises all new employees to find a balance between being protective with their time and forming business partnerships.Those collaborative relationships fueled by support and accomplishment are priceless and timeless, he said.Enjoy the rideAt the end of the day, kununu employees understand that work should be inspiring and engaging. If youre dedicating 40+ hours each week of your life to something you should be active, excited, and curious about the new lessons your job can offer.Worklife is endless learning. Dont plan your career live your life and enjoy it. Everything else will follow if you do what you have fun doing than just because you are good at it. - Moritz Kothe, CEO atkununuSo whether youre bussing tables, mowing lawns, or selling sweaters, remember that its not the job title that matters, its what you make of it.This article first appeared on Kununu.